Stock inlet for papermaking machines



March 14, .1944. E. E. BERRY ETAL. 2,344,282

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STOCK INLET FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES Filed July :51, 19:59 12 Sheets-Sheet s;

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March 14, 1944. E. E. BERRY ET AL 3 STOCK INLET FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES Filed July 31, 1939 12 sheets-Sheet 11 5m 5 Smear.

'March 14, 1944. E. E. BERRY ET AL 2,344,232

STOCK INLET FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES Filed July 31, 1939 12 Sheets Sheet 12 I *3 M5 m mQ I j l 1 N. I

Patented Mar. 14, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE STOCK INLET FOR PAPERMAKING MACHINES Earl E. Berry and Lloyd Hornbostel, Beloit. Wis., assignors to' Beloit Iron .Works, Beloit, Wis.,= a corporation of Wisconsin Application July 31, 1939, Serial No. 287.506

38 Claims. (CI. 92-44) This invention relates to astock inlet for paper making machines and more specifically relates to the ejection of stock from oppositely flowing streams into a confined passageway immediately adjacent the forming surface of a paper making reached the forming surface of the paper mak-' ing machine. The curdling effect was due to flocculation of fiber in the stock suspension probably caused by electrical charges, or effects of charges, produced in the fibers by the heaters and pumps. fibers cause attraction between the fibers to quickly build up fiber bundles in the suspension as soon as the flow of stock is slowed up sufflciently to take care of proper distribution of the stock across the width of the forming machine.

We have found that the heretofore necessary slow flowing speeds and the heretofore desired smooth flow promotes and makes possible the undesired fiber flocculation and, according to-our invention, we now actually effect a turbulence in the stock suspension immediately before it is deposited on the forming surface of the paper making machine. The desired turbulence can be effected by spouting stock under pressure.

through submerged orifices placed in the stock stream at a point; adjacent to the forming surface and the stock is maintained in a continually flowing condition at a speed that is above the point where fiber flocculation can occur.

While the invention will hereinafter be specifically described as applied to a Fourdrinier type paper making machine, we wish to point out that the principles of the invention are adapted for use, on other types of web forming apparatus including cylinder type paper making machines. 1

According to one embodiment of this invention, the paper stock from the stock furnishin equipment is supplied to the opposite ends of parallel-conduits mounted adjacent the breast roll of a Fourdrinier paper making machine.

These electrical charges in the.

The conduits have perforated tops along the length thereof and the oppositely flowing streams of stock are ejected through these perforated tops into a confined passageway communicating with the upper run'of the forming wire.- Excess stock that it not ejected through the perforated tops of the conduits is recirculated into the oppositely flowing stock streams for admixture with said streams. In this manner, uniform stock distribution is obtained throughout the entire width of the machine in spite of the fact that the rate of stock flow through the perforated holes might vary across the width of the machine due to change in velocity of the flowing streams in the conduits. Thus by, causing the stock to be fed in the opposite direction through a similar conduit, the variations in'the rate of flow of stock through,perforation's along its length will be opposite to the variations in the first conduit. The resultof the combinationis a uniform rate of flow-of stock across the entire machine.

The apparatus of this embodiment of the invention may, if desired, be equipped with a recirculating device communicating with the. passageway receiving the ejected stock. from the conduits. This recirculating device is adapted for attachment'toth'e rear end of the main stock inlet. The recirculating device isequipped with a plurality of' parallel conduits having. slotted tops along the length thereof. The conduits are drained from opposite ends'thereof so that stock entering the slots will form oppositely flowing streams. These streams are merged and fed back to the pump for supplying stock to the main feed conduits. If desired the excess stock can be introduced into the stock chest or other The perforated metal strips or plates have rows of holes or slots therein which may be or maynot be undercut or beveled atthe bottoms thereof in the direction of flow of the-stock through the conduits so that the stock will be directed into and through the holes. Excess stock which is not ejected through the perforations or holes,

is recirculated back to the flow box'out of those ends of the conduits which are opposite to the stock receiving ends.

The perforated strips or plates are readily removed from the slots in the conduits so that strips having diiferent sized holes or slots can be mounted in the slots in accordance with the consistency of stock being fed to the conduits.

Uniform stock distribution is thus obtained across the width of the machine since any variation in the rate of flow through perforations along the lengths of the conduits will be opposite in the adjacent conduits and the resultant effect is neutral. V r

The stock ejected from the conduits is merged into a common chamber extending across the width of the machine. This common chamber has an open top, which may be adjustable for' Another object of the invention is to provide a stock inlet for a Fourdrinier type paper making machine having an open ended confined stock passageway adjacent the breast roll of the machine and a gate for regulating flow of stock out of the rear end of the passageway.

A specific object of the invention i to provide an improved stock distributing conduit having removable perforated plates mounted in a 101'igiwidth, extending across the width of the .ma-

chine communicating with a confined stock passageway. The front end of the stock passageway discharges stock onto the forming wire while the rear end of the stock passageway can be closed or can discharge stock in regulated amounts back to the feed box. The flow of stock from the passageway back to the feed box is regulated by means of an adjustable gate.

A feature of both embodiments of the invention includes the cradling of a box in the main frame of the stock inlet to form a shiftable top wall for the confined stock passageway. This permits a regulation of the size and. ca pacity of the passageway as well as the formation of a confined stock zone on the upper run of the forming wire.

It is, then, an object of the invention to provide a stock inlet for paper making machines tudinal slot thereof.

Afurther specific object of the invention is to provide improved perforated plates for ejection of stock therethrough to defiocculate the stock.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a stock inlet according to this invention.

adapted to uniformly supply defiocculated paperstock across the entire width of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide stock streams flowing in opposite directions transversely across the entire width of the paper making machine and to supply stock from these oppositely flowing streams directly to the forming Wire of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a series of spaced parallel submerged orifices adjacent the forming wire of a paper making machine for receiving stock from oppositely flowing streams therethrough to uniformly ,dis-

tribute stock across the entire width of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stock inlet for a Fourdrinier type paper making machine having a confined passageway communicating with the upper run of the forming wire for receiving stock directly from oppositely flowing streams extending transversely across the width of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide intercommunicating transverse stock conduits adjacent the breast rollof a paper making machine for uniformly distributing paper stock across the width of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a recirculating device for a stock inlet capable of receiving excess stock from the inlet for recirculation back to the inlet.

A further object of the invention is to p ovide a stock inlet for a paper making machine having a pair of parallel stock conduits extending transversely across the width of the machine and receiving stock from a flow box together with recirculating devices for flowing excess stock from the conduits back to the'fiow box.

Figure 2 is a broken front elevational view v of the stock inlet shown in Figure 1, with parts 'a stock inlet having a'recirculating device attached thereto and illustrating the piping eonnections to and from the inlet and recirculating device.

Figure 7 is'a horizontal cross-sectional view taken-- along the line VII-VII of Figure 1.

Fi ure 8 is a horizontalcross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken along the line IX-IX of Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view taken along the line XI'X[ of Figure 5, with parts broken away to show underlying structure.

Figure 12 is a broken. fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of stock inlet according to this invention and illustrating a stock screen, flow box and piping connections to and from the inlet and new box.

Figure 13 is an enlarged, broken side elevational view of the stock inlet illustrated in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the stock inlet and a portion of the stock feed box taken along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a rear end elevational View, with parts broken away and shown in vertical cross section, taken along the line XV-XV of Figure 12.

Figure 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stock inlet taken along the line XVI-XVI of Figure 14.

Figure 17 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the apron and support therefor mounted on the front end of the stock inlet illustrated in Figures 12 to 16.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary top plan view of a series of perforated plates or strips adapted for mounting in the slots of the stock conduits formng part of the stock inlet shown in Figures 12 ;o 16.

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentarybottom plan view of one of the plates or strips shown .n Figure 18.

Figure 20 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional 116W taken along the line XX-XX of Figure 18.

Figure 21 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical :ross-sectional view of the top portion of a stock :onduit forming a portion of the stock inlet of his invention and illustrating the manner in which the perforated plates are mounted in the .op of the conduit.

As shown on the drawings:

Description of apparatus shown in Figures 1 One embodiment of the invention is illustrated :1 Figures 1 to 11, inclusive.

In Figure 1 the referencenumeral l desigiates generally the stock inlet of this embodinent of the invention. As shown, the inlet l0 s mounted adjacent the breast roll I l of a Fourlrinier type paper making machine (not shown). (he forming wire l2 of the machine is trained -.round the breast roll I I.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the stock inlet I0 supported on a plurality of transverse I-beams '3. Longitudinal web members [4 are mounted in top of the I-beams l3 and carry a pair of iorizontal conduits [5 extending transversely LCI'OSS the line of the paper machine behind the ireast roll ll asbest shown in Figure 4.

The stock inlet l0 includes spaced opposed side 'rame plates l6 mounted on top of the conduits 5 near the ends of the conduits.

The side plates is are provided with a plu- "ality of spaced vertical slots Ilia as best shown n Figure 1. v

A bracket I! is mounted on top of each plate 3 in spaced 'relation from the rear end of the )late. An additional bracket I8 is mounted on :ach plate 16 at the front ends of the plates vhile a third set of brackets is are mounted on he rear ends of the plates l6.

Tumbuckles 20, 2| and 22 are pivotally coniected between the brackets i1, [8' and is re- ;pectively and ears Z3, 24 and 25 of a box '26 mounted between the plates IS. The box 26 has L plurality of horizontal slots 26a .in the side valls thereof adapted to be aligned with the verical slots [6a in the side plates.

The turn sleeves 20a, Zia and 22a of the turnuckles 20, 2| and 22 respectively are adapted to )e manually rotated for adjusting the position )f the box 26 between the side plates IS. The um 28 is thus cradled between the side plates ind is locked in adjusted position by means of JOItS 2'!v extending through the slots Ilia and 28a. Figure 4.)

A beam 28 extends transversely between the ;ide plates [6 and is secured to the front end vall of the box 26. As shown in Figure 4, the ower front end of the box 26 is cut away as at 26b for receiving a flange 28a of the beam 28 in alignment with the bottom of the box.

An angle member 29 is bolted to the front wall )f the beam 28 and extends along the length of ;he beam. This angle member 29 has the horiaontal leg thereof provided with threaded aper- ;ures in spaced relation along the length thereof for receiving in threaded relation the threaded shanks of hand'wheels 30. The shanks of the sand wheels are hollow and receive threaded link rods 3| therein depending downwardly from the angle member 23. The exterior threads on the hand wheels are at a different pitch from the interior threads so that .a rotation of the hand wheel to move it downwardly into the threaded apertures of the angle member 29 will cause an upward movement on the link rods 3| thereby resulting in a micrometer adjustment of the link rods.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, vertical wall members 32 are secured to the front ends of the side frame plates l6 and extend forwardly over the upper run of the forming wire l2. These plates 32 are mounted alongside of the ends of the beam 28.

'A flexible plate 33 is secured at its rear end to the flange 28a of the beam member 28 and extends forwardly between the side wall members 32. The forward end of the flexible plate 33 is provided with a plurality ofupwardly extending lugs 34 which are pivotedto the lower ends of the link rods 3|. Manipulation of the hand wheels will raise and lower the front end of the flexible plate 33 to regulate its distance from the upper run of the forming wire l2. Since the plate is flexible, and since a plurality of link rods are provided across the width of the plate, micrometer adjustment of the gap between the forming wire and the plate can be obtained,

The bottom of the box 26 is covered on the under side with a plate 35 preferably of stainless steel or other non-corrodible alloy. This plate 35 abuts the rear end of the plate 33 and is aligned therewith.

The side frame plates I6 are connected by a bottom wall 36 which can be'cast integrally with the plates H5. The bottom wall 36 is spaced above the conduits 15 but below the box 26.

As best shown in'Figure 4, the bottom wall 36 has spaced opposed flanges 36a depending downwardly therefrom to the tops of the conduits l5.

As shown in Figures 4 and 9, the tops of the conduits l5 are built up as at l5a to define flat horizontal top walls. These walls are slotted as at lib along the entire length of the conduit between the side frame plates IS.

A perforated plate 31 is disposed in each slot lib. The plates 31 have flanges 31a disposed on top of the built up portion Hit of the conduits i5 and under the flanges 36a of the wall member 36.

The perforated plates 3'! likewise have flanges 31b on the other sides thereof. These flanges 31b extend toward each other and receive a plate 38 therebetween to bridge the gap between the conduits l5.

As best shown in Figure 10, the flanges 31a and 31b of the perforated plates 31 have downturnecl end portions seated in grooves I50 of the built-up portions I5a on the conduits. This looks the plates 31 in position.

As shown in Figure 9, the portion of the plate 31 disposed in the slots I5b has rows of staggened holes 39 therethrough. The holes 39 in each row of holes are in overlapping relation so as to obtain a maximum spouting capacity for the plates.

As shown in Figure 4, the bottom wall 36 has a transverse slot 40 across the width thereof between the flanges 36a. v

A chamber ll defined by the flanges 36a, and the plates 31 and 38 is thus formed. This chamber 4| communicates through the holes 39 in the plates 31 with the interior of the conduits l5 along the entire length thereof. Likewise the chamber 4| has the slotted opening 40 at the top thereof along its entire length.

A clean-out door 42 for the chamber 4| can be provided in a side frame plate I 6.

The bottom wall 36. and the flanges 36a are preferably covered with sheets of non-corrodible metal 43.

An apron 44 (Figure 4) is secured on the bottom 36 at the forward end thereof and extends over the upper run of the forming wire I 2.

There is thus provided a confined stock passageway 45 extending from the gap 40 to the forming wire l2. The top wall defining the passageway can be shifted as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 to extend the plate member 33 beyond the apron 44 so that a confined zone is formed on the forming wire |2.

As shovfii in Figure 4, the passageway 45 is open at the back end thereof but is adapted to be sealed by means of a barrier 46. This barrier 46 is used when it is desired to feed all of the stock issuing from the slot 4|) onto the forming wire |2. In the event, however, that it is desired to recirculate some of the stock from the passageway 45, a recirculating device indicated generally by the reference numeral 58 is provided.

The recirculating device 50 is secured to the rear end of the stock inlet ID as shown in Figure 6.

As best shown in Figure the recirculating device 58 comprises spaced opposed side plates such as 5| joined by a bottom 52. The bottom 52 has a depending flange 52a at the front end thereof for abutting a dependent flange 36b on the bottom wall 36 of the stock inlet I8. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, these two flanges are adapted to be bolted together.

The bottom wall 52 also has a reverse sloping flange 5212 at the rear end thereof.

A back wall member 53 is provided between the'side plates 5| and has a reverse sloping por-' tion 53a in spaced relation from the flange 52b.

The back wall 53 also has a horizontal portion 53b receiving a flat flexible metal sheet 54 thereon. This sheet 54 can be bolted to the top wall 53b and extends forwardly'beyond the front ends of the side walls 5|. As shown, the projection portion 54a of the flexible sheet 54 has apertures 54b therethrough.

An angle member 56 is bolted on the back wall of thebox 26 in the stock inlet I8. This angle member 56 has the horizontal leg thereof provided with apertures 56a. When the recirculating device 50 is moved into position for cooperating with the stock inlet l0, bolts (not shown) join the projecting portion 540 of the flexible plate 54 with the angle member 56.

A box member 57 is mounted between the side walls 5| on top of the sheet 54. The side walls of the box have horizontally disposed slots 51a therein adapted to be aligned with vertical slots 5|a in the side walls 5|. Bolts 58 extend through the aligned slots and serve,to adjustably support the box 51. on the side plates 5|.

The flexible plate 54 is preferably formed of a non-corrodible alloy such as stainless steel or the like. The bottom 52 of the recirculating device is likewise covered with a non-corrodible alloy liner 59. The back wall 53 is also covered with a non-corrodible liner 6D.

A stock passageway 6| is thus formed between the flexible plate 54 and the bottom 52. The

is closed by a slotted plate 64. A clean-out door 65 can be provided in one of the side walls 5| for cleaning out the chamber 63.

A pair of parallel horizontal stock conduits 66 are mounted under the plate 64 and support the previously described structure. These conduits 66, in turn, are carried by pedestals 61 and transverse beams 68 as shown in Figure 6.

As shown in Figures5 and 11, the tops of the conduits '66 are slotted as at 66c along the entire length of the conduit that is disposed between the side plates 5|.

-The plate 64 has mating slots 64a as shown in Figure 5. The tops of the conduits 66 on each side of the slots 66a can'be built up as shown at 66!) to form a flat support for the plate 64.

When the recirculating device 50 is to be used. the barrier 46 is, of course, removed from the passa eway 45 and the projecting end 54a of the flexib e sheet 54 isbolted to the angle member 56. The box member 51 is then adjusted on the side plates 5| so that the passageway 6| in the recirculating device will have the desired shape and size. It shouldbe noted that the flexible plate 54 can be bent since it bridges gaps between lts anchored ends and the box 51. A changing of position of the box 51 is permitted by the slots 5|a and 51a, thereby making it possible to vary the passageway 6|.

Excess stock from the passageway 45 flows through the passageway 6| into the chamber 63 and thence through the slots 64a and 66a into the conduit 66.

As shown in Figure 8, these conduits 66 are closed at opposite ends by end caps 66c and are drained from the other opposite ends thereof through downpipes 69. As shown in Figure 6, the 'downpipes 66 discharge into a header 78 drained by a discharge conduit into the stock supply line 12' on the suction side of a stock pump 13. Drainage is regulated by a valve Ha in the conduit II'.

The pump 13 pumps stock through a pipe I4 having a valve 15 therein into a. header or pipe coupling 16 which discharges into feeder standpipes 'l'l communicating with opposite ends of the stock feed conduits |5 of the inlet I0.

As best shown in Figure 7, end caps or headers 88 are bolted on the ends of the conduits l5 and join the conduits together. The headers 80 are hollow and provide chambers 8| therein between the stock conduits l5.

End pieces or nozzles 82 extend through the end caps 88 and join the discharge ends of the feed pipe 11- with the interiors of the conduits |5 at opposite ends of the conduit. The nozzles 82 converge into spaced concentric relation from the walls of the conduits I5 thereby providing annular gaps 83 joining the chambers 8| with the interiors of the conduits.

The caps 88 have plugs 85 of a generally conical shape extending therethrough into the ends of the conduits l5 opposite the stock inlet ends thereof. These plugs 85 converge intothe conduits |5 in spaced concentric relation from the conduit walls and thus define annular gaps 86 joining the chambers 8| of the end caps with the interiors of the conduits.

Stock enters each conduit |5 from a pipe 'I'! through a nozzle 62 and flows. in opposite directions to the plugs 85 at the other ends of the conduits. As the stock flows, some of it is ejected throughthe perforated tops of the conduits while excess stock is deflected by the plugs 85 through the gaps 86 into the chambers 8| of the end caps 80. The stock inthe end caps, however, is immediately drawn out through the gaps 83 to mingle with the oppositely flowing stock streams. Somewhat of a suction is caused at the gaps 83 by the flowing stock in the conduits. The excess stock is thus recirculated from one conduit to the next and the conduits therefore need not be provided with overflow devices to accommodate excess stock.-

The plugs 85 are provided with central webs 8'! acted upon by locln'ng rods88 threaded through the bosses 89 of arbors 90. The locking rods 88 are actuated by hand-wheels 9|.

As best shown in 'Figure 3, the arbors 90 have cylindrical bosses 92 on one end thereof swivelly mounted on bolts 93 extending from the end caps 80. The other ends of the arbors 90 have slotted bosses 94 thereon adapted to be swung around bolts 95 extending from the end caps 80.

The plugs are readily removed from the end caps and conduit's by loosening the locking rods 88 and by swinging the arbors 90 so as to move the bosses 94 off of the bolts 95. The plugs can then be withdrawn and the opposite ends of the conduits are thus opened up for cleaning.

As best shown in Figure 2, clean-out doors or diunp valves 98 can also be provided along the bottom of the conduits I intermediate the ends thereof. These clean-out doors can be opened dump the contents of the conduits.

Operation of apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 11 From the above description it should be understood that the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 11, inclusive, and specifically despurted through a myriad of orifices at the tops I of the oppositely flowing streams into a superposed chamber. This superposed chamber has a slotted outlet at the top thereof extending across the entire width ofthe machine. The outlet may be adjusted in width, for example, by movement of a wall member 36.

Since the superposed chamber receives stock from oppositely flowing streams, the stock supplied to the slotted outlet of the chamber is constant both in volume and pressure across the entire width'of the machine. Any pressure drop occasioned by ejection of stock from a flowing stream is offset by the oppositely flowing stream. Since the stock is ejected through submerged orifices before it can reach the slotted opening communicating with the forming wire of the machine it is subjected to a great turbulence and the fibers thereof will be in a complete dispersed condition.

A confined passageway connects the slotted the upper run of the wire to provide a confined pressure web forming zone on the wire.

The stock inlet of this embodiment can be used alone or in connection with a recirculating device which receives excess stock from the stock passageway and which divides this excess stock into oppositely flowing streams so as to prevent making machine.

any unevenness in stock pressure or volume across the width of the machine. The oppositely flowing streams from the recirculating device are merged and recirculated back to the stock furnishing equipment for the main outlet.

A single stock pump can be used and the discharge from this pump is split into the two oppo sitely flowing streams for supplying the stock inlet. The oppositely flowing streams of the recirculating device are merged before they reach the pump.

A feature of the embodiment includes the feeding of excess stock from one inlet stock stream to another so that this excess stock need not be recirculated back to the pump.

In actual use of a stock inlet according to this invention it has been found that the stock supplied to the forming wire of a paper machine can be more concentrated than was heretofore possible. Furthermore uniform sheets of paper free from cloud-like effect are obtained even from this concentrated stock. The stock fibers of the stock are in a thoroughly dispersed condition and the stock deposited on the forming wire has a uniform milky appearance as contrasted with the heretofore universally obtained mottled or flocculated appearance. Paper making machines equipped with stock inlets according to this invention can be operated at higher speeds than when equipped with heretofore known types of inlets because the use of a concentrated stock effects a more rapid web formation since it is not necessary' to drain off such large amounts of dilution water as were heretofore required.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 12 to 21, the'reference numeral I00 designates generally a stock inlet mounted behind the breast roll IOI of a Fourdrinier paper- A forming wire I02 is trained around the breast roll IOI. includes a pair of spaced parallel stock conduits I03 and I04 extending transversely across the width of the paper making machine behind the breast roll IOI.

As best shown in Figure 12, paper stock from the stock furnishing equipment such as the stock screen H0 is discharged into a feed box III located immediately behind the inlet I00. The feed box III has a drain opening I I2 in the bottom thereofand stock is discharged from the feed box through a pipe line I I3 into a pump H4. The pump I I4 discharges stock under pressure into a pipe line H5 having a fitting H6 at the end thereof communicating with branch pipes H1 and H8. The branch pipes H7 and H8 enter the fitting H6 under the stock inlet I00 at a point mid-distant between the sides of the inlet. The branch pipe III has an elbow II'Ia on the top end thereof entering the stock conduit I03 of the inlet on the front side of the inlet while the branch pipe H8 discharges through an elbow IIBa into the conduit I04 at the rear side of the inlet. The pipes H1 and H8 between the fitting H6 and the conduits I03 and I04 are of equal length.

-As shown in Figures 12, l3, l5 and 16, the inlet I00 is mounted on web members I20. As best shown in Figure 16, the conduits I03 and I04 are cast integral with feet 'I2I which are bolted to the web members I20. End frame plates I22 are also cast integral with the conduits. A flat hori- The stock inlet I00 zontal wall member I23 is cast integrally with the tops of the conduits I03 and I 4 to form a base extending between the end frame plates I22.

As best shown in Figure 13, pedestals I24 and I25 extend vertically upwardly from the wall I23 I 30 is mounted behind the I- Clean-out doors such as I3I are mounted on the sides of the inlet between the pedestals I24 and I25. These doors I3I as shown in Figure 13 have horizontal web portions I 32 extending along the outer face thereof and terminating in flanges I32a which extend over the outer faces of the pedestals I24 and I25.

As best shown in Figure 15, ears I33 extend outwardly from the pedestal and rebeive pivot pins I34 therein which pins pivotally support swing bolts I35. The swing bolts are adapted to extend through slots in the flanges I32a and wing nuts I36 threaded on the bolts I35 serve to draw the flanges I 32a tightly against the pedestal for locking the doors I3I in closed sealing position.

As shown in Figures 13 and 16, a metal box I31 is cradled between the pedestals and held in position by means of bolts I38 extending through slots I39 in the pedestals. As will hereinafter be more fully described, the box is adapted to be swung for varying its position between the pedestals. The side walls of the box extend from below the tops of the doors I3I to seal the space therebeneath. Pairs of brackets I40 are bolted to the rear wall of the box I31 as best shown in Figures 13, 15 and 16. Link rods I4I have eye ends I4Ia pivotally mounted between the pairs of brackets I 40.

The rear plate I30 at the top of the inlet has pairs of brackets I42 bolted thereon and projecting rearwardly therefrom. Worm and wheel housings or jack housings I 43 are mounted between the pairs of brackets I 42 and receive the threaded ends I4Ib of the links .I4I therethrough.

The threaded ends I4Ib can be threaded through worm wheels in the casings I43. The worms in the casings are key'ed on shafts I44 extending to the sides of the inlet and receiving hand wheels I45 on their outer ends.

A torque tube I46 canconnect the shafts I44 between the casings I43 so that rotation of either hand wheel I45 will effect a raising or lowering of both links I4I to move the back end of the box I31 relative to the pedestals I25.

As shown in Figures 13, 14 and 16, the front end of the box I31 has pairs of brackets I41.

bolted thereon and projecting forwardly therefrom. Link rods I48 have eye ends I48a pivotally mounted between each pair of brackets I41 and have threaded ends I481) threaded through the worm wheels in worm and wheel or jack casings I49. The casings I49 are carried between pairs of brackets I50 bolted on the front plate I29. The worm in the casing I40 at one side of the inlet is keyed on a shaft I5I while the worm in the other casing is keyed on a shaft I52.

The shafts I5I and I 52 receive hand wheels I53 on their outer ends.

A second hand wheel I54 is slidably mounted on the inner end of-the shaft I5I and is urged inwardly by a spring I55 disposed around the shaft between the hand wheel I54 and the easing I49. A

A torque tube I56 is rotatably mounted between the shafts I5I and I52. A hand wheel I51 is mounted on the tube I56 adjacent to the hand wheel I54. The hand wheel I54 carries one portion I58a of a 'jaw clutch while the torque tube I56 carries the mating portion I581; of the clutch. The spring I55 maintains the clutch in engagement so that a rotationof a hand wheel I53 will move both shafts I5I and I52 to raise and lower the front end of the box I31. However, if it is desired to move one shaft independently of the other, the jaw clutch can be disconnected by manual movement of the hand wheel I54 away from the hand wheel I51. The hand wheel I51 can be rotated to move the torque tube and shaft I52 independently of the shaft I5I and thus raise or lower one corner of the box I31 independently of the other front corner thereof. The hand wheels I45 and I53 can be operated to move the box I31 when the bolts I33 are loosened in the slots I39. The front end of the box can be cocked or tilted by independent operation of the shafts I5I and I52.

The box I31 is thereby cradled between the pedestals I 24 and I25 and can be adjusted to an exact desired position. After the box is adjusted the bolts I38 are tightened to lock the box in its adjusted position.

As shown in Figures 13, 15 and 16, a metal plate or gate I60 is mounted on the rear wall of the box I31 and extends downwardly therefrom. As best shown in Figure 15, the gate I60 has reinforcing webs I60a projecting rearwardly therefrom and is slotted as at I601). The slots I 60b receive bolts I6I therethrough which serve to secure the gateto the rear wall of the box I31.

The top edge of the gate I60 is cut away as shown in Figure 15 so as not to interfere with the brackets I40. The top of the gate has bosses I62 formed thereon receiving rods I63 therethrough. The rear wall of the box I31 also has bosses I 64 formed thereon. Handle members I65 are pinned to the tops of sleeves I65a threaded in the bosses I64 and the rods I63 are threaded in the sleeves I65a. A rotation of the handles I65 will raise and lower the rods to move gate I60 relative to the box I31.

From the above description it should be understood that the box I 311s cradled in the frame structure of the stock inlet and can be adjusted to various positions. The box in turn carries the gate I60 and the gate can be adjusted relative to the box.

As best shown in Figure 16, a casting I10 is bolted to the wall I23 and extends downwardly from this wall to the front wall of the feed box II I. Side walls or castings I1I are secured to the rear pedestals I25 as shown in Figure 13 and abut against the sides of .the gate I 60 as shown in Figure 15 to form, with the gate and casting I10, a passageway I12 communicating with the interior of the feed box II I whenever the gate is spaced above the wall I10 as shown in Figure 16.

Castings I 13 and I14 (Figure 16) are bolted on top of the wall I23 and extend between the front and rear pedestals I24 and I25 respectively. These castings are in spaced opposed relation and include side walls defining a chamber H5 .bove the stock conduits I03 and I04. The'top" if this chamber I is slotted as at I10 and the lot I10 extends transversely-across the full width f the paper machine. Th slot I16 communicates vith a horizontal passageway II1 defined by the iottom of the box I31, the tops of the castings 13 and 114', the clean-out doors I3I and the pedrStfi-IS. A a

The rear end of the passageway I-1 1- comnunicates with the passageway I12 in front of he gate I60.

As shown in Figures 13, 14 and 16, the front. iedestals I24 carry side plates I18extending over he forming wire-I 02 of the machine. The bottom vall of the box I31 carries a plate I19 extending ietween the side plates I18. This plate I19 proects forwardly from. the front wall of the box ll'ld is supported at its free end by rods I80 debOXIII.

)ending from brackets I8I mounted at spaced in- ;ervals across the front wall of the box. These ods I80 are pivotally mounted at their lower ends .n ears I82 formed on the top of the plate I19 at ;he forward end of the plate.

Hand wheels I83 have shanks I83a threaded .hl'Ollgh the brackets I8I. These shanks I83a are 1150 internally threaded and receive the threaded ands I80a of the rods I80 therein. The threads m the inside-and outside of the shanks I83a differ in pitch, so that a rotation of the handwheels I38 to thread the shanks I83 downwardly into the arackets IBI will simultaneously cause an upward threading of the rods I80 into the shanks. This provides a micrometer adjustment for positioning of the front end of the plate I19 across the entire length of the plate. As shown in Figure 14, a. plurality of hand wheels I83 are provided at spaced intervals along the length of the plate. The free 'forward end of the plate can thus be exactly positioned with respect to the forming wire I02 and the Plate can beslightly warped if desired to vary the spacing between the forming wire and the plate.

The casting I13, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, has a forwardly extending lip l13a adjacent the breast roll IN. The top of the lip I13a has a dove-tailed slot I13b extending transversely across the width of the machine. Anapron carrier I84 is mounted on top of the lip H311 and has a depending flange portion I84a extending into the groove I131). The forward edge of the flange I84a converges in the same direction as the forward wall of the groove so as to snugly-seat against this wall.

A wedge block I85 is also seated in the groove I13b behind the apron carrier I84 to lock the apron carrier to the lip I13a.

The leading end of the apron carrier I84 is recessed as at I84b (Figure 17) and the rear end of an apron I80 is mounted in the recess and secured to the apron carrier by means of screws I81. The apron I86 is preferably a rigid metal plate so that the front end of the apron will be suspended in spaced relation over the forming wire I02 as shown in Figure 1'1. The front edge of the apron I90 is tapered downwardly'as at I80a so as to insure a smooth flow of stock onto the wire I02,

.The passageway I11 shown in Figure 16 thus communicates at its front end with the upper run of the forming wire I02. The front opening of the passageway can have any desired width by adjustment of the box I31 and the plates I19.

The rear end of the passageway I11 communicates with the overflow passageway I12 and As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the ends of the stock conduits I03 and I04 have end plates I 90 disposed therearound or cast integrally therewith.

The inlet .pipes H1 and H8 are connected with the inlet ends of the conduits -I03 and I04 by means of elbows I Na and I I8a respectively which pass through the end plates I90 as best shown in Figure 15.

The end plates I90 at the outlet ends of the conduits I03 and I04 carry U-shape'd strap members I9I each having an eye p rtion I9Ia on one leg thereof. This eye portion I9 Ia receives therethrough a bolt I92 extending from the plate I90 t0 swivelly mount the.strap on the plate. The other leg of the strap I9I has a slotted-foot I9Ib adapted-to be disposed around a second bolt I93 extending from the frame plate I90 behind the head of the bolt.

Funnel-shaped caps I94 have the mouths thereof seated in the discharge ends of the conduits 'I03 and I04. These caps I94 are held in seated position against the ends of the conduits by locking pins I95 which. are threaded through. the

strap members I9I and operated by hand wheels I96.

When it is desired to remove the caps I94 from the conduits, the hand wheels I96 are rotated to retract the pins I95 from the caps. The straps I9I are then swung about the bolts I92 to move the slotted feet I9Ib away from the bolts I93. The caps can then be lifted away from the dis,- charge ends of the conduits.

As shown in Figure 15 the caps I94 converge into pipes. I91 which are reversed inwardly toward the middle of the stock inlet. These pipes I91 communicate with branch pipes I98 extending to a T or Y-coupling I 99 (Figure 12) in the center of the stock inlet. The coupling I99 discharges into a single pipe 200 (Figure 12) enter ing the front end of the feed box I I I. The stock is thus fed to the adjacent stock conduits through the feed pipes I I1 and I I0 and excess stock in the conduits is recirculated back to the feed box through the caps I94 and return pipes connected therewith. I

During its passage through the conduits I03 and I04, some of the stock is ejected into the as the conduit I03 has an open top orslot 03 extending along the'full length thereof. The slot 203 has grooves 203a in the sides thereof extending between the clean-out door's I3I. The portions of the conduits extending outwardly from the clean-out doors have the tops of the side walls along'the slots 203 out back flush with the back walls of the grooves 293a as shown in dotted lines at 203b.

The perforated plates 202 have tongues 292a seated in the grooves 203a of the slots.

As best shown in Figure 18, a series of plates 202 are used in each slot 203. The end plates 20: which are disposed adjacent the clean-out doors I3I have the tongues 202a extending along the full length thereof. These end plates 202 are shorter than the intermediate plates 202 and the longer intermediate plates only have the tongues 202a extending along the sides thereof for a portion of their lengths. This provides tail portions 202b on one end of the intermediate plates for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, end plates 205 cover the slots 203 in the conduits I03 and I04 between the outer ends of the conduits and the clean-out doors l3l. These covers 205 can seat on the shoulders provided between the back walls 20% and the side walls of the slots 203. Bolts or screws 206 anchor th covers to the conduits.

The plates 202 are readily inserted and removed from the slots 203 of the conduits. For example, the covers 205 can be removed and the tail ends 2021) of the intermediate plates 202 inserted into the slots 203. The leading end of the plate 202 is then moved so that the tongues 202a thereof will enter the grooves 203a of the slot. The tongues 2021; make possible the use of longer plates 202 since, when the tongues 202a are entering the grooves 203a, the free ends of the plates must be aligned in the slots. The unseated portion of the plates can then not be longer than the length of the covers 205. Additional plates 202 are pushed along the slots 203. by the successively inserted plates until the entire lengths of the slots. 203 between the clean-out doors is filled with plates. The covers are then inserted in exposed portions of the slots and bolted in place. When it is desired to remove the plates for cleaning purposes or to insert plates having different sized or differently arranged holes 20!, the covers at the opposite ends of the conduits are removed and the plates are pushed from one end of the conduits to the other end and removed at this other end. This arrangement provides a convenient adjustm'ent for changing the orifices in the conduits. 5

As shown in Figure 18, a plurality of rows of holes 20I are provided in the plates with the holes in each row being in staggered relation. As shown in Figure 20, each hole 20! has a beveled bottom portion 20la tapering upwardly into the hole I in the direction of flow of stock through the conduit. As best shown in Figure 19, these beveled portions 20la converge from the holes and are readily formed by drilling at an angle to the axis of the holes.

These beveled portions 20la tapering into the holes in the direction of flow of the stock through the conduits prevent undesired flow of stock past the holes since the stock is, in effect, directed into .the holes. The beveled portions also prevent the Operation of apparatus shown in Figure 12 to 21 In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 12 to 21, paper stock from the pulp furnishing equipment such as the stock screens is deposited into a feed box and pumped from this feed box under pressure to spaced parallel stock conduits mounted adjacent the forming wir of a paper machine. These stock conduits extend transversely across the width of the machine and have perforated plates along the length thereof for ejecting stock therefrom into a common chamber. The stock fiows through the conduits in opposite direct-ions so that a decrease in flow or pressure from the inlet to the outlet end of one con'duit is compensated by the other adjacent conduit through which the stock is flowing in an opposite direction.

The perforated plates permitting ejection of stock from the conduits into the common chamber have holes therethrough arranged in staggered relation. The bottoms of the holes are beveled so as to direct the stock flowing through v the conduits into the holes.

The stock inlet'has a confined open ended passageway communicating intermediate its ends with the chamber receiving the stock from the conduits. The front end of the passageway opens onto the forming wire of the paper machine while the rear end of the passageway can be closed off or can communicate back with the feed box.

In this manner the stock can be flowed into the passageway under constant speeds and pressures while the volume of stock discharged on the forming wire can be entirely independent of the vol=- ume fed to the passageway. The return passage to the feed box can be regulated by a control gate and the size of the discharge opening onto the forming wire can also be regulated. In addition, the size of the passageway itself can be regulated and varied in shape by movement of a box which forms the top wall of the passageway.

Both stock conduits have discharge outlets at the ends thereof opposite their inlet ends, and these discharge conduits recirculate the excess stock back to the feed box.

The stock inlet has many adjustments that can be quickly made to maintain optimum conditions for the particular type of stock being used.

The counterfiow stock feed principle transversely across the width of the paper machine is coupled with a uniform outlet distribution across the machine so that there will be no variation in the flow of stock supplied to the forming wire even on extremely wide machines. The merging of the stock from the oppositely flowing streams and the direct flowing of the merged stock onto the forming wire in amounts independent of the volume ejected from the stock conduits makes possible exact controlling of the feed. Thus the transversely of the direction of travel of the wire.

Stock of heavier consistencies than was heretofore possible can be used to make high grade, uniform sheets. l

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than'necessitated by the scope of the ap'- pended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A stock inlet for a paper making machine having a web forming surface which comprises a plurality of longitudinally orificed stock conduits extending transversely across the width of the paper making machine, means for "flowing stock in opposite directions through said conduits for ejection from the conduits along the lengths thereof and means defining a stock passageway having a. width as great as the width of said web forming surface for directly receiving stock ejected from said conduits. 

